The document discusses the four main classifications of computer networks: Local Area Network (LAN), Personal Area Network (PAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and Wide Area Network (WAN). Each type is described with specific characteristics, such as coverage area, typical uses, and associated technologies. The information is intended for a course on computer networks at City University, Dhaka.

1. Pranab Bandhu Nath
(Senior Lecturer)
Department of CSE
City University, Dhaka.
Name : Maksudujjaman
ID : 1915002517
Batch : 50
th
Semester : Summer’21
Program : B.Sc. in CSE
Submitted By :
CITY UNIVERSITY
Faculty of Science and Engineering
Department of Computer Science & Engineering
CSE 317 Computer Networks, Summer’21
Supervised By :
This note contains details about main four classification of computer networks LAN, PAN,
MAN & WAN.
Course Code: CSE 317
Course Title : Computer Networks
ABSTACT:

2. Classification of Computer Networks
A computer network is a group of computers that use a set of common communication over digital
interconnections for the purpose of sharing resources located on or provided by the network nodes
A computer network can be categorized by their size. A computer network is mainly of four types:
o Local Area Network (LAN)
o Personal Area Network (PAN)
o Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
o Wide Area Network (WAN)
Local Area Network (LAN):
o Local Area Network is a group of computers connected to each other in a small area. This might be in a
building, school, and an office or even in a home.
o LAN is used for connecting two or more personal computers through a communication medium such as
twisted pair, coaxial cable, etc.
o It is less costly as it is built with inexpensive hardware such as hubs, network adapters, and ethernet cables.
o The data is transferred at an extremely faster rate in Local Area Network.
o Local Area Network provides higher security.

3. Personal Area Network (PAN):
o Personal Area Network is a network arranged within an individual person, typically within a range of 10
meters.
o Personal Area Network is used for connecting the computer devices of personal use is known as Personal
Area Network.
o Thomas Zimmerman was the first research scientist to bring the idea of the Personal Area Network.
o Personal Area Network covers an area of 30 feet.
o Personal computer devices that are used to develop the personal area network are the laptop, mobile
phones, media player and play stations.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN);
o A metropolitan area network is a network that covers a larger geographic area by interconnecting a
different LAN to form a larger network.
o Government agencies use MAN to connect to the citizens and private industries.
o In MAN, various LANs are connected to each other through a telephone exchange line.
o The most widely used protocols in MAN are RS-232, Frame Relay, ATM, ISDN, OC-3, ADSL, etc.
o It has a higher range than Local Area Network (LAN).

4. Wide Area Network (WAN):
o A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large geographical area such as states or countries.
o A Wide Area Network is quite bigger network than the LAN.
o A Wide Area Network is not limited to a single location, but it spans over a large geographical area through
a telephone line, fiber optic cable or satellite links.
o The internet is one of the biggest WAN in the world.
o A Wide Area Network is widely used in the field of Business, government, and education.

5. References:
https://www.javatpoint.com/types-of-computer-network
https://ecomputernotes.com/computernetworkingnotes/communication-networks/classification-of-computer-networks
https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/types-of-area-networks-lan-man-and-wan/
http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~marbach/COURSES/CSC358_S14/classification.pdf
https://afteracademy.com/blog/What-are-the-different-types-of-network